Mei Li Explained

Mei Li (also called Mei Li's Chinese New Year) is a book by Thomas Handforth. Released by Doubleday, it was the second recipient of the Caldecott Medal for illustration in 1939.^[1] As one of the first American picture books to have an Asian protagonist, it is considered a milestone for diversity in children's fiction.^[2]

Plot

This story is about a girl named Mei Li who ventures out to attend the Chinese New Year festivities with her brother San Yu and is burdened with the task to prove that there are activities for girls, too.^[3]

Notes and References

1. American Library Association: Caldecott Medal Winners, 1938 - Present. URL accessed 27 May 2009.
2. Web site: Mei Li's Chinese New Year . New York Public Library . 17 January 2023.
3. Web site: The Story of Mei Li. The Horn Book. Horn Book Magazine. 13 January 2016.